(Withdrawn)[Ray M] Ligustrum Forest

[Ray M]

Ligustrum Forest

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The trees are either cuttings or suckers from the host tree.

Name = Ligustrum
Height = 1100mm
Obtained = The original stock tree was dug about 20 years ago
Cost = Time to grow the stock

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

Hi all,
This is an update on the trees.

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I needed more trees, especially with thinner trunks. I have used the tops off the trees to create some thinner trees.

You will notice that the cuttings are planted in a different soil.

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P.S. I am preparing some more photos to explain what I did with the cuttings. I will make another post so as to not take up the competition area.

Regards Ray

[Neli]

Job well done ray! Looking good!

[Ray M]

Hi all,
Update on the Ligustrum.

The main trees are showing good growth. The following two photos show examples of the main trees.

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The cuttings are also showing good growth. They are all have new growth.

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Regards Ray

[Neli]

Hi Ray, looking good.
I am also trying to make a forest so I shall follow you with interest. I also planted the cuttings in packets, and some growth i there...though they just as straight as yours.
I would like to ask about this colander method.
Did you use bonsai soil inside?
I can see all the roots are going down...and are thick. How were the roots inside the colander? Are there plenty fine roots compared to planting in the ground direct.
How long did you grow them in this colander for? Do you think if they are grown for a longer period in the colander, the roots might get ground layered...like cut off by the colander, when they thicken, like by the tourniquet effect.
Ones the roots have gone through the holes and thickened, how easy are they to remove from the holes?
What are the advantages of this method according to you?
Why I am asking is because I am doing an experiment...with plastic packets instead of colanders. Some I just punctured with a stick, after being planted...and some with big holes near the top , hoping roots will escape from the top and create better nebari. Looking at your roots I can see my experiment is doomed, unless I dig them out in spring, remove the roots bellow and channel the top roots through the holes horizontally.

[Ray M]

Hi Neli,
I will try to answer your questions.

Hi Ray, looking good.
I am also trying to make a forest so I shall follow you with interest. I also planted the cuttings in packets, and some growth i there...though they just as straight as yours.
I would like to ask about this colander method.
Did you use bonsai soil inside?

Yes I use my normal bonsai mix.

However, when planting cuttings I mix it 50/50 with Perlite. This allows the soil to drain very well

I can see all the roots are going down...and are thick. How were the roots inside the colander? Are there plenty fine roots compared to planting in the ground direct.
How long did you grow them in this colander for? Do you think if they are grown for a longer period in the colander, the roots might get ground layered...like cut off by the colander, when they thicken, like by the tourniquet effect.

There are several question here. There are plenty of roots in the colander. If you plant in the ground with nothing to control the roots they will grow wherever they want to. If you plant your tree in a colander and then plant the colander in the ground this will help to create a root ball nearer to the trunk. As the roots grow out through the colander into the ground, you will get the same benefits as ground planting. One of the advantages in doing this, is, you can do a root prune several times a year. You only remove the roots outside the colander, then replace the colander into the ground. Doing this doesn't disturb the root ball right near the trunk. As the tree puts out new roots you will see a lot of vigor in the tree.

Yes, the roots will grow through the colander. If the colander is not in the ground the roots tend to burn off and not thicken. If the colander is in the ground the roots will certainly thicken as they come through the colander. Have a look at photo 5 and you will see how the roots will thicken up. This colander was place on top of the ground, rather than into the ground. As the roots find their way down into the soil they will certainly thicken. Have a look at photo 6. I have cut the roots off back to the colander. If this was a tree I was growing in the ground I would put it back into the ground with the roots cut back like this.

Ones the roots have gone through the holes and thickened, how easy are they to remove from the holes?

You don't have to reomove the roots from the holes. Just prune them back to the colander.

What are the advantages of this method according to you?
Why I am asking is because I am doing an experiment...with plastic packets instead of colanders. Some I just punctured with a stick, after being planted...and some with big holes near the top , hoping roots will escape from the top and create better nebari. Looking at your roots I can see my experiment is doomed, unless I dig them out in spring, remove the roots bellow and channel the top roots through the holes horizontally.

Have a look at this post viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14986&hilit=+colanders

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

Hi all,
This is a photo of a couple of the main trees. They look like they are all taking off now. These trees should become quite vigorous during this season. I will work on shaping before planting them as a forest.

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The cuttings all appear to be healthy. They are starting to put out some good growth now.

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Next post I will show a photo of the slate I have chosen for doing the planting.

Regards Ray

[Neli]

I did not say thank you for the good info, and report to you that in Japan they use colanders too but dont bury them, Oyakata said the roots get cut off when they reach air and dont go around. Also saw some people planting trees in 3 colanders different sizes. Inside each other.

[Ray M]

I did not say thank you for the good info, and report to you that in Japan they use colanders too but dont bury them, Oyakata said the roots get cut off when they reach air and dont go around. Also saw some people planting trees in 3 colanders different sizes. Inside each other.

Hi Neli,
Good to hear from you. Sounds like you had a real good time in Japan. Way back when I started using colanders I read of a Japanese grower, who was a specialist in black pines, using the multiple colanders. When he wanted to take the trees on further he would just put the existing colander into a larger colander. That was well over 20 years ago, so I'm sure colanders have been used longer in Japan then I have been using them. As Oyakata has said, there are a couple of advantages. The roots will die off once they protrude through the colander, and they don't tend to wrap around because they are not coming up against a wall, rather, they just grow out through the holes.

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

Hi everyone,
I have started to cut back the main trees ready for planting. I removed the bottles off the cutting. I have also added photos of the Slate I will use for the forest.

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Regards Ray

[Olivecrazy]

Cant wait to see how you put this together ive got a few forest its a hard stlye to get looking right but when they do they look great an develope into the finnished tree much fast then a single tree by its self

[NathanM]

Looks like it is taking shape, Ray! Good work on a detailed post

[Ray M]

Hi all,
I am posting a couple of photos to give some idea where I was going with this forest. I suspect it won't be anywhere near ready by the time the competition ends. I suspect I will have to withdraw it. From the photos you might be able to get some idea of the layout. Even if I have to withdraw it I intend to keep going with it. I think there is a lot of potential for this to become a nice display.

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Regards Ray

[Josh]

Is this the large leaf privet

Josh

[Ray M]

Is this the large leaf privet

Josh

Hi Josh,
It is the small leaf.

Regards Ray